Levon Helm celebrates his birthday during the Birthday Bash Ramble at Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston May 27, 2011. A stretch of road in Ulster County could be renamed in his honor.

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, D-Duanseburg, will co-sponsor legislation introduced by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, to honor the late Levon Helm by renaming Route 375 in Ulster County in his honor.

Route 375 from Route 28 In West Hurley to Route 212 in Woodstock would be named Levon Helm Memorial Boulevard under the proposed legislation. Tkaczyk represents part of Ulster County, including Woodstock.

Helm lived in Woodstock for more than four decades prior to his death in April 2012. The Arkansas native was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Band, the Ulster County-based rock ensemble for whom he was drummer, vocalist and mandolin player. As a solo artist, Helm won three consecutive Grammys, and charted new territory in the music industry with his Midnight Ramble house concerts, staged at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock.

The state road proposed for Levon Helm Memorial Boulevard is fitting, as the intersection of routes 212 and 375 is a short distance from Plochmann Lane, where Levon Helm Studios is located. Also, Helm over decades would have traveled regularly on Route 375 on his way into and out of Woodstock.

"What a great honor," said Barbara O'Brien, who was Helm's manager and remains manager of Levon Helm Studios. "Thank you, Assemblyman Cahill. I travel Route 375 countless times every week. I'll feel like Levon's with me in the car each time. He would've loved it and would've gotten such a kick out of it. I can see that ear-to-ear grin now."

Visit www.levonhelm.com for information on Levon Helm.

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Legislation to honor Levon Helm secures state Senate sponsor

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, D-Duanseburg, will co-sponsor legislation introduced by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, to honor the late Levon Helm by renaming Route 375 in Ulster County in his